Reader’s Digest named the Pana‘ewa Rainforest Zoo the best zoo in Hawaii as part of a review of zoos throughout the United States.
“Think you have to book a trip to South America to venture through a rain forest in real life? Think again,” the magazine wrote. “As soon as you step inside this Hawaii hot spot, which is the only tropical zoo in the United States, you’ll feel like you’re in the Amazon, surrounded by giant orchids, walls of bamboo and 80 different animal species. Wander through the rain forest (it gets over 125 inches of rain per year!) as you watch spider monkeys and lemurs swing from the trees and listen to the caws of colorful parrots.”
The 12-acre zoo and gardens in Hilo is the only zoo in the United States located in a rain forest. It is operated by the county Department of Parks and Recreation. Admission is free.
“We are so proud of this precious gem of a zoo and botanical gardens, which is kept so wonderfully thanks to the hard work of our staff and dedicated Friends of the Zoo and many other volunteers,” said Parks and Recreation Director Roxcie Waltjen. “This recognition by the Reader’s Digest is a wonderful affirmation of our zoo, which means so much to our community, visitors and especially our keiki.”
Visit the zoo’s website at www.hilozoo.org/home.html or call 959-9233. The zoo is open 9 a.m.-4 p.m. every day except Christmas and New Year’s Day.
Find the Reader’s Digest article online at www.rd.com/advice/travel/best-zoo-every-state/.